Any body have any comments on using A Tabou Rocket 105 in 20 knots or there abouts

Yep - I want one!

I have the 105 Rocket. 20 knots is awesome. 30 knots too, just, starts feeling a bit big at 30, but still fine.

But in terms of 20knots, it will be in its sweet spot between 20 and 25 knots.

My avatar is a 2013 115ltr Rocket in about 25knts with a 7.0m. I'm 88kg. A 105 should handle up to 30knts fine as long as you're not a wafer.

What year model are you looking at? I think the older Rocket 105s are a bit narrower and longer than the newer ones and have a flatter bottom. I have a Rocket 105 that is around 10 years old. I might have sailed it out in 30 knots of wind but that is only I did not have a smaller board at the time and the water was fairly flat.

It is perfect in 20 knots of wind.

I was hoping to get something pre 2010, but I cant find one. I have been looking a brand spanka at SHQ and it looks real good

`ive got a 105 tabou 2008 $300 with board bag and 2 fins , the board has had a nose repair and a replaced mast track but water tight

Snap!

Thanks for all the feedback guys, but after some work at the wife acceptance factor I am now eagerly awaiting my new 105 rocket, cant wait!

I'd recommend a nose protector.

For what it is worth I have a 2010 105L Tabou Rocket and I agree with Sputnik, 20 knts is just about perfect for it.

I use the Rocket from about 17 knts up to 25 knts. Above 25 knts I switch to my Tabou 76L 3S as the Rocket starts to feel a bit big especially in open ocean chop and swell...

I weigh 65 kgs; so I would be classed a wafer (thanks 2035... ) as I would not use it in 30 knts.

P.S. In my Avatar I am using my Rocket with a 5.0 m2 sail in about 20 knts of wind - perfect!

Again great advice fellas thanks

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Sputnik11 said..
I'd recommend a nose protector.

The boom head should miss the nose. I use an old mast foot protector, and attach it to the mast upside down just below the boom, as that is the bit that strikes the nose. The padded foam is a lot more effective at absorbing shock than the harder nose protectors. Leaves your board looking original too.

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Harrow said...

Sputnik11 said..
I'd recommend a nose protector.

The boom head should miss the nose. I use an old mast foot protector, and attach it to the mast upside down just below the boom, as that is the bit that strikes the nose. The padded foam is a lot more effective at absorbing shock than the harder nose protectors. Leaves your board looking original too.

Too late for me sadly.....

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Harrow said...

Sputnik11 said..
I'd recommend a nose protector.

The boom head should miss the nose. I use an old mast foot protector, and attach it to the mast upside down just below the boom, as that is the bit that strikes the nose. The padded foam is a lot more effective at absorbing shock than the harder nose protectors. Leaves your board looking original too.

noooo.... Don't stick one of those ugly things on your sexy board.

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Harrow said...

Sputnik11 said..
I'd recommend a nose protector.

The boom head should miss the nose. I use an old mast foot protector, and attach it to the mast upside down just below the boom, as that is the bit that strikes the nose. The padded foam is a lot more effective at absorbing shock than the harder nose protectors. Leaves your board looking original too.

I've done exactly the same to protect the nose on my 2010 Rocket and also my JP FSW (which took a solid hit from the mast last year), though i recently purchased a new Chinook mast foot protector and modified it to go further down the mast for protection where it is needed. Only problem with this nose protector is that it tends to move higher up the mast towards the boom (just worked out this week how to stop it from moving up). The boom cutout on my KA sails is quite low, in that I'm rigging the boom close to the top of the cutout with the boom just above chest height, so best to work out where to put the protector based on the position of the boom cutout on your own sails. Will take a pic next time I rig up and post it here (windy here tomorrow!)

Do your Rocket and yourself a favour and try some different fins as it can make a big difference to how the board performs. The std fin on my 2010 Rocket was simply awful! Got some early JP Supersport fins quite cheap and they suit the board really well. For weed, I use a Choco weed freerace which works just fine. Have recently tried a stiff full carbon fin, though found it a bit unforgiving in choppy water compared to JP fins.

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GazMan said..
Do your Rocket and yourself a favour and try some different fins as it can make a big difference to how the board performs. The std fin on my 2010 Rocket was simply awful! Got some early JP Supersport fins quite cheap and they suit the board really well. For weed, I use a Choco weed freerace which works just fine. Have recently tried a stiff full carbon fin, though found it a bit unforgiving in choppy water compared to JP fins.

Yep, I found the same. The Tabou original was simply dreadful. It was so bad I remember once wondering if it had fallen off. I use a Select Superfoil on mine now.

Mmm I'm a bit over my 95 Rocket since I got a slalomboard but maybe I should try a decent fin..usually use weedies also so that doesnt help..

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Harrow said..

GazMan said..
Do your Rocket and yourself a favour and try some different fins as it can make a big difference to how the board performs. The std fin on my 2010 Rocket was simply awful! Got some early JP Supersport fins quite cheap and they suit the board really well. For weed, I use a Choco weed freerace which works just fine. Have recently tried a stiff full carbon fin, though found it a bit unforgiving in choppy water compared to JP fins.

Yep, I found the same. The Tabou original was simply dreadful. It was so bad I remember once wondering if it had fallen off. I use a Select Superfoil on mine now.

I have a 2014, I find the standard fine pretty good.

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Sputnik11 said..

Harrow said..

GazMan said..
Do your Rocket and yourself a favour and try some different fins as it can make a big difference to how the board performs. The std fin on my 2010 Rocket was simply awful! Got some early JP Supersport fins quite cheap and they suit the board really well. For weed, I use a Choco weed freerace which works just fine. Have recently tried a stiff full carbon fin, though found it a bit unforgiving in choppy water compared to JP fins.

Yep, I found the same. The Tabou original was simply dreadful. It was so bad I remember once wondering if it had fallen off. I use a Select Superfoil on mine now.

I have a 2014, I find the standard fine pretty good.

Yes I've tried all sorts of fins in Tabou Rockets. Nothing wrong with the standard ones. Durability though is not the best, the standard fin on the 115 delaminated and split down the middle after a lot of use.

Thanks Sputnik I was only looking at an old foam protector in the garage the other day. I will put it to good use

Thanks Harrow Choco weed fin will check that out

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Sputnik11 said..

Harrow said..

GazMan said..
Do your Rocket and yourself a favour and try some different fins as it can make a big difference to how the board performs. The std fin on my 2010 Rocket was simply awful! Got some early JP Supersport fins quite cheap and they suit the board really well. For weed, I use a Choco weed freerace which works just fine. Have recently tried a stiff full carbon fin, though found it a bit unforgiving in choppy water compared to JP fins.

Yep, I found the same. The Tabou original was simply dreadful. It was so bad I remember once wondering if it had fallen off. I use a Select Superfoil on mine now.

I have a 2014, I find the standard fine pretty good.

Mine was around 2004. Maybe they've made some progress with their fins over the last 10 years.

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Harrow said..

Sputnik11 said..

Harrow said..

GazMan said..
Do your Rocket and yourself a favour and try some different fins as it can make a big difference to how the board performs. The std fin on my 2010 Rocket was simply awful! Got some early JP Supersport fins quite cheap and they suit the board really well. For weed, I use a Choco weed freerace which works just fine. Have recently tried a stiff full carbon fin, though found it a bit unforgiving in choppy water compared to JP fins.

Yep, I found the same. The Tabou original was simply dreadful. It was so bad I remember once wondering if it had fallen off. I use a Select Superfoil on mine now.

I have a 2014, I find the standard fine pretty good.

Mine was around 2004. Maybe they've made some progress with their fins over the last 10 years.

I think they have. Seems pointless to make great boards and give them ** fins. IMHO if you do that, people will blame the board and talk them down and not buy them next time. Its a cheap move to do this. Anyone board makers reading this - take note, Don't skimp on the fin.

Nothing wrong with the fins! Had my 105 out today in a solid 25 knots. The fin was fine.

But don't get this Rocket 105. It's from the days before the proper double concaves. It is the hardest riding board in the Ocean ever constructed. Need to replace it with a more modern one. Buyer beware. All offers considered , great in flat water.

That's my model .My experience is only in chopped up lake chop but it rides a lot smoother than my freemove board and I didn't notice any difference between a more recent 115 Rocket I tried. I only weigh 63kgs so now don't use it in much more than 20kts but I have had it out in 25 -30kts.

Looks like East Corrimal... I've been keen to try it out for a while now. Been surfing it for years and it's one of my fav spots. PM please next time you're planning on sailing there. Cheers, Nigel

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jakesmile said..
Thanks for all the feedback guys, but after some work at the wife acceptance factor I am now eagerly awaiting my new 105 rocket, cant wait!

You look excited.

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sboardcrazy said..
That's my model .My experience is only in chopped up lake chop but it rides a lot smoother than my freemove board and I didn't notice any difference between a more recent 115 Rocket I tried. I only weigh 63kgs so now don't use it in much more than 20kts but I have had it out in 25 -30kts.

Its the same or very similar to my 105 too. I guessimate its a 2005 or 2006 board. I find it not terribly smooth riding in chop but I can't really compare it to many other boards.

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evlPanda said..

jakesmile said..
Thanks for all the feedback guys, but after some work at the wife acceptance factor I am now eagerly awaiting my new 105 rocket, cant wait!

You look excited.

That avatar gives me the creeps..